Limits to biotech

Genetically engineered “super-muscly pigs”

New methods of genetic engineering are to be used to produce animals with enhanced muscle growth to produce more meat. What sounds like a dream come true for industrial food production is a nightmare for the animals… >>MORE<<

Epigenetics counteract DNA-scissors

Gene regulation impacts efficacy of nuclease CRISPR-Cas

An increasing number of studies have found evidence that gene editing outcomes are not as predictable as often claimed. It is now clear that epigenetics can play a bigger role in this context … >>MORE<<

Genetically engineered mushrooms

- safety is just a matter of belief...

Mushrooms manipulated with new genetic engineering methods have been authorised for marketing in the USA without being assessed. The reason: genes were "only" removed and none inserted... >>MORE<<

Laboratory animals

- animal suffering as a business model

In order to investigate diseases, animals are genetically manipulated in a way that they become ill with certain diseases. While the medical benefits are very limited, a lucrative business emerged – at the cost of the animals… >>MORE<<

Toxic Soybean

- suspected of being carcinogenic...

EU Commission allows the import of genetically engineered soybeans containing a combination of residues from spraying with herbicides and suspected of being carcinogenic with no risk assessment... >>MORE<<

Genetically engineered calf

A cow has been genetically engineered to produce milk that is altered in its composition. After hundreds of attempts that produced sick and still-born calves, "Daisy" finally came into the world – without a tail and with abnormal organs. And her milk is not fit for human consumption... >>MORE<<

Genetically engineered oilseed rape

- a door opener for new genetically engineered organisms?

As yet, genetically engineered oilseed rape has no authorisation for cultivation in the EU. One reason: Its high potential for spreading into the environ- ment. However, oilseed rape and other plant species developed with new methods of genetic engineering may soon be released without man- datory risk assessment or labelling… >>MORE<<

Gene Drive

intervention in the "germline" of natural diversity

Gene-drives are, in particular, intended to alter wild species, whereby the application is purposely not restricted to the field or the laboratory. There are currently ongoing discussions about whether such methods should be used in insects, wild life animal species or weedy plant species… >>MORE<<

"Smartstax" - corn

Harvest with poison mixture

The harvest of genetically engineered plants contains residues from spraying with mixtures of herbicides, some of them classified as being likely to cause cancer. Nevertheless, the EU does not investigate the health impacts of the residues from spraying... >>MORE<<

Genetically engineered poplars

Genetically engineered forests?

Also forest trees such as poplar are genetically engineered. The Problem: There is no way of implementing reliable risk assessment, because forest trees have various and complex interactions with the environment…... >>MORE<<

Honey bees

- the new genetically engineered laboratory animals

Honey bees play an essential role as pollinators in intact ecosystems. However, the survival of honey bee colonies is under increased threat due to industrialised agriculture. Genetic engineering is now promising a solution... >>MORE<<

Human laboratory animals

Chimeras - animal farms for human organs

Researchers are currently creating chimeras, part human and part animal. To do this, human embryonic stem cells are injected intoembryos taken from animals. In theory, this could result in creatures from which organs could be removed and used for human organ transplant.... >>MORE<<

"Frankenfish"

– with added growth hormone genes

The genetically engineered salmon developed by Aquabounty have been given additional growth hormone genes to make them grow faster. Authorities in the US and Canada have already issued market approval for food derived from the fish... >>MORE<<

Genetech Apple

Not all it seems

If biotech companies are to be believed, there is an urgent need in the food industry for genetically engineered apples that do not turn brown when cut. Their aim now is to convince consumers to buy sliced and packaged apples, which look fresh even if they are not... >>MORE<<

Genetech olive flies

– engineered to kill olive flies

The release of genetically engineered olive flies carrying a deadly gene has already entered the planning stage. The genetically engineered olive flies will mate with olive flies in the wild and, whilst all the female offspring will die, the males will survive and continue to spread their killer gene into the natural populations... >>MORE<<

Cloned Cattle

- fighting transiency

Cloning is being used as a way of continuing to reproduce the special characteristics of animals for breeding, even if they are old or already deceased. Cloning, however, often causes diseases and even death. The European Parliament therefore calls for prohibitions and labeling... >>MORE<<

"Golden Rice"

Genetic engineering with a moral lobe

The introduction of "Golden-Rice" is being driven by a campaign instigated by a number of proponents. They accuse environmental organisations of causing the deaths of millions of children because they are trying to prevent the rice from being marketed. "Golden-Rice" was genetically engineered to to improve vitamin A consumption... >>MORE<<